Paul in Philippians 2:14 wrote: “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” In modern vernacular, “Don’t gripe.” Murmuring and disputing are both types of griping. You murmur when you gripe about what you’re doing. You dispute when you gripe about having to do it. In both cases, you don’t like what you’re doing, so you gripe about it.

OK, so that’s bad. But it’s really bad. Right before v. 14 in the context, comes this in vv. 12-13:

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

What are we doing? We are obeying, working out our salvation, and doing His good pleasure. That’s what your life is about as a Christian. It’s big time. While you’re going about doing the things that God wants you to do, which is characteristic of a believer, don’t gripe about it.

Why? What reason do you have for not griping while you’re doing this? Paul gives three reasons in three clauses in vv. 15-16. Each of the clauses focuses on a particular beneficiary of your not griping. Three different recipients will benefit from your thankfulness and contentment. And the benefits to these three are the reasons why not to gripe. What are they?

1. YOUR OWN REPUTATION (Philippians 2:15a)

2. UNSAVED PEOPLE’S REDEMPTION (Philippians 2:15b-16a)

3. YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP’S REJOICING (Philippians 2:16b)